Vader POV

"Lord Vader, might I have a word with you?"

"I am a very busy man Thrawn as are you.  I don't have time for chatter. It is a waste of time."

"Agreed. I just thought that you might like to be informed on what was discovered concerning the transport ship it's destination and it's cargo."

"And why would I care about that?"

"The crew was transporting an infant to the Naboo system. The infant had these in it's possession." Thrawn replies handing me a pacifier and a necklace. I stared down at the items in my hand and then clenched my fist around them. "They seem oddly familiar to me. You wouldn't happen to recognize this pacifier and necklace would you? Did they once belong to Anakin Skywalker?"

"So what if they did, that proves nothing."

"Aren't you the least bit curious as to how an infant came across a pacifier and necklace that was made by Anakin Skywalker ?"

"No."

"I know I am. That's why I convinced Tarkin not to kill the child..."

Tarkin POV

Welcome to the Medical bay. How may I be of assistance?" A droid asked as Tarkin carried me into the medical ward.

"I need a DNA test done on this infant."  Tarkin  replied.

"Of course. Is there anyone in particular we should cross examine the infant's blood with?" The medical droid asked.

"No." Tarkin replied.

"As you wish. One moment please." With that the droid quickly drew a small sample of blood and ran it through the system. "Match found. Mother Padme Amidala Skywalker. Father Anakin Skywalker." The computer replied. Tarkin stared at the screen that was before him. The screen flashed again and the computer repeated "match found mother Padme Amidala Skywalker Father Anakin Skywalker."

"What is this tests accuracy?"

"Calculating... Accuracy 99.9%." The computer replies and Tarkin frowns.

Leaving me in the droids care, Tarkin rushes out of the medical bay and onto the bridge of the ship. "Contact The Emperor immediately! I have urgent news to report!" Tarkin demanded. "Patch it through to my office."

"What seems to be the problem Govner Tarkin?" The Emperor asked.

"We found a cargo ship on its way to the Naboo system. The only cargo aboard was a baby girl."

"And?" The Emperor demanded irritatedly.

"Her DNA matches that of Lord Vader's late wife and that of Jedi Anakin Akywalker." Tarkin replied.

At this the Emperor frowned. "That could cause some complications. Has Lord Vader been informed of this yet?"

"Not that I am aware of my Lord." Tarkin replied

"Good. Have the results wiped from the medical records and inform Vader that I wish to speak with him." The Emperor replied with a frown.

"Yes my Lord. My Lord, what do you want done with the infant?" Tarkin asked.

"Send her to the local orphanage on Tattooine. However, I want you to inform the headmaster in charge of the orphanage that the infant is to be sent to the imperial academy if she hasn't been adopted by the time she is to enter school."

"As you wish my Lord." Tarkin replied with a bow.

Meanwhile, Vader paced his room unable to get me out of his mind. He was about to leave when a hologram of the Emperor appeared in the room. Instantly Vader knelt before the image "what is thy bidding my Master?"

"Am I disturbing you my old friend?"

"No my Master." Vader replied.

"But you were about to go somewhere were you not?" The Emperor asked.

"Yes Master. I was heading to the medical bay."  I wanted to check on..." The Emperor interrupted him mid sentence.

"The infant that was found aboard the cargo ship heading for your late wife's home planet?"

"Yes Master. How did you???" Vader started to ask but again the Emperor interrupted him.

"Tarkin called informing me of the discovery of the infant. The results of the DNA test were unsettling to say the least."

"Why?"

"The test results indicate that she is the daughter of your late wife."

"How can that be Master?"

"That does not matter. The test was unable to confirm who this child's father is." The Emperor replied.

"If her mother was Padme then I would be her..."

"Do not jump to conclusions my young apprentice. She maybe the daughter of your old Master Obi-wan Kenobi."

"Impossible. Padme would never betray me in such a manor. She loved me."

"Ahh But did she really? She did after all, bring Obi-wan to Mustifar so that he could kill you. Maybe she wanted to keep their secret affair hidden. Why else would she have betrayed you and brought him there?" The Emperor replied.

"I don't want to hear any more about Padme betraying me Master. She would not do such a thing. The child she was to bear was mine."

"Perhaps. Or perhaps she kept this baby hidden from you, because she was worried that if you knew the truth you'd kill her, Obi-wan and the baby." The Emperor replied. "Forget about the baby."

"I can't Master. Not until I know the truth."

The Emperor sighed. "Very well, but remember, your the one who wanted to know." With that the Emperor ended the transmission and contacted Tarkin. "Tarkin I have a job for you to do."

"Of course. It would be my honor to assist you in any way possible." Tarkin replied.

"Good. I want you to falsify the DNA test on the infant you found."

"Falsify it my Lord?"

"Yes. I want you to have the test indicate that the child is the daughter of Obi-Wan Kenobi. I am sure we have some of his DNA on file."

"As you wish my Lord. I will get on that right away."

"Oh and one more thing, once Vader knows
the "truth" he is going to want to kill the infant. If so, do not stand in his way."

"It shall be as you have ordered my Lord." Tarkin replied with a bow.

Even though the Emperor had ordered Vader to forget about me he just couldn't seem to get me out of his mind. "Excuse me Droid, what were the DNA results for the infant that was brought in here earlier today?"

"Infant? I do not recall any infant being brought to here. Let me check our data banks. I'm sorry sir but there seems to be no record of an infant being brought to this facility."

At this Vader balled his fists in anger and let out a low growl. He had specifically ordered that I be brought to the medical bay. Where was I?? Vader closed his eyes and focused. One word flashed into his head or rather one name Tarkin. Vader wasted no time in finding and confronting Tarkin who was as usual on the Bridge. "Tarkin there is something I need to discuss with you."

"Yes Lord Vader, how can I be of service to you?" Tarkin asked with a smile.

"You can tell me where you have taken the infant that was aboard the cargo ship."

"Oh her? She's being transported to the local orphanage on Tattooine." Tarkin replied.

"She's What???" Vader growled.

"Why does that surprise you? She is an orphan and therefore needs to be in an orphanage. Besides, why do you care what happens to one little infant? It's not like she's important or anything." Tarkin replied.

"How dare you send an infant into that cesspool of scum and villainy!" Vader growled.

"I am following the Emperor's orders, are you?The infant is no longer our concern." Tarkin replied.

"Never mind it doesn't matter. I will find out what I want to know myself." With that Vader turned and walked away leaving Tarkin smiling and chuckling slightly. That night Vader's dreams were filled with visions of Padme. Of the night he had supposedly killed her. Then his dream flashed to the nightmare he use to have when Padme was alive. The vision of her dying during child birth. What if he hadn't killed Padme as his Master had said? What if Padme had given birth? Yet, that was impossible. His master wouldn't be so cruel. He wouldn't lie to him about this and yet.... The discovery of this child was unsettling. Why was he dreaming these things anyway? Was it because of the infant? If so, why did she stir such feelings in him? Vader needed answers.

"Master."

"Yes my young apprentice what seems to be troubling you?"

"The infant."

"What about her?"

"Why is she being sent to the Orphanage on Tattooine?"

"You need not be concerned. The infant will be in good hands and her progress shall be monitored. If she hasn't been adopted by the time she is to enter school she will be sent to the academy." The Emperor replied.

"And if it turns out that the child is indeed my daughter?"

"Do not concern yourself with such things."